Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
El Adobe de Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA

El Adobe de Capistrano

4.7 (1118)
$30 and under
Mexican
31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 33 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for groups
  • Charming
Enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine in a historic setting at El Adobe de Capistrano. This landmark features a wedding chapel, stained-glass windows and additional beautiful architectural details. Its kitchen has a mesquite-burning grill where chefs prepare deliciously flavored seafood and steak dishes. Soups, salads and appetizers are also on the menu, including tasty desserts.Owners Tony Moiso and Gilbert Aguirre have kept the atmosphere and traditions of the El Adobe de Capistrano going. This establishment still prepares the dishes that President Nixon and his wife enjoyed while visiting during his administration. It has a full bar that serves various drinks, a lounge area for socializing and a patio in the front. El Adobe de Capistrano offers private rooms for banquets and other events. The Palenque features a retracting roof, making it ideal for hosting an event under the night sky. It offers brunch and has a Happy Hour.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Seafood, Grill
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Sat 11:00–21:00 Sun 10:00–21:00
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Carlos Hernandez
  • Private party facilities
    El Adobe is the perfect spot to have your private events taken care of! We offer three different room options depending on the size of your group. We have many different menu options, linens and more that come with the room! You will have your own server working specifically only for your event.
  • Area
    San Juan Capistrano
  • Parking details
    Private parking lot behind the restaurant
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,118 people are saying

El Adobe de Capistrano reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Orange County

    Mexican

  • South Orange County

    Child-friendly

  • South Orange County

    Good for groups

  • South Orange County

    Mexican

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
El Adobe de Capistrano offers "great Mexican fare" with a charming ambiance that "takes guests back to old world Mexico." Guests praise the "delicious food," "excellent service," and festive atmosphere with live mariachi and harp music. Highlights include "amazing food," "great margaritas," and a "lovely restaurant" experience.
1,118 Reviews
  1. Madelin

    Los Angeles4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was very good and the ambience was great. We met friends for lunch on a Sunday afternoon and it was very enjoyable.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Roxann VIP

    Orange County22 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food always fantastic - always great!!! Margarita is exceptional as our server - we always ask for her.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Ken VIP

    San Diego39 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Visiting friends in the area so we met at this restaurant. Food was good, but definitely not a standout experience. I would rate it as average Mexican cuisine for So Cal. Ambiance was rustic and very loud. We couldn't really hear each other well during dinner and had to ask for people to repeat themselves a lot. The music was odd. A mix of traditional Mexican music, Billy Joel, Disney tunes, etc. Not what you'd expect in a Mexican restaurant. Service was fair. We felt a little rushed even though there were plenty of open tables. Not a place we'd go out of our way to visit in the future.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Nancy VIP

    Las Vegas6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 11 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had an amazing Mothers Day Brunch. The food was excellent and the Mariachis was a very nice touch!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Renee

    Las Vegas11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 11 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful waiter! Food was delicious. Thank you!! We will come again.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Nancy

    Orange County1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 11 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful place, good environment and great food quality

    Is this helpful?

  7. Angela

    San Diego5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 10 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great experience, delicious food, and excellent service! We will definitely return!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Cecily

    New Mexico2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 10 May 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    The served my dish incorrectly, and when I said something they replaced the incorrect item but changed me an additional $7 for it…even though it was their mistake. It’s their most famous dish too- the presidente. He knew it was wrong and still charged me.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Tracy

    Orange County2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 7 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Salmon tacos on taco Tuesday are my favorite! Love the pickled onions and sauce.

    Is this helpful?

  10. derek

    San Francisco15 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 6 May 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great Mexican fare. Not high end but just right. Nice downtown location with easy parking.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

El Adobe de Capistrano offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (949) 493-1163.

El Adobe de Capistrano is rated 4.7 stars by 1118 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Orange County
  4. South Orange County
  5. San Juan Capistrano

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 33 times today
Google Map for El Adobe de Capistrano

31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Additional information

  • Area
    San Juan Capistrano
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Sat 11:00–21:00 Sun 10:00–21:00
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Seafood, Grill
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Private parking lot behind the restaurant
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Carlos Hernandez
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Private party facilities
    El Adobe is the perfect spot to have your private events taken care of! We offer three different room options depending on the size of your group. We have many different menu options, linens and more that come with the room! You will have your own server working specifically only for your event.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Impressum
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2025 OpenTable International Ltd. Alphabeta Building, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo